David has come and gone (Acts 13:36).
The kingdom was transferred to his son. It was an awkward transfer, but in time Solomon was firmly placed on the throne. It was Solomon who was the builder of the temple. That unique place where God chose to dwell. A house really.
How valuable and how focal was the sanctuary / the house of God. Such a primary object in Israel. The place where God dwelt. The central place of worship for the entire nation. So should God's residence be in my heart. A well kept place, a great place, a beautiful place, a pre-eminent place.
I Kings 6:29 tells me of some of the carvings that were found in the house. His house. "He carved all the walls of the house round about with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees and open flowers, inner and outer sanctuaries. . . "
Verses 32 and 35 repeat these carvings.
Open flowers. Open flowers. This caught my eye. They were open. Life, beauty, nothing hidden. The flower had arrived at its created purpose. It had reached its full display. Much as a flower opens to the sun as it courses the sky, so is the heart that dwells in the shadow of the Almighty. In God's presence, there is fullness of joy. In God's presence, I find a fully open life. In God's presence, people finally explode with all of the richness and purpose of life.
Time to bloom!
